Under-7 rippa rugby players who had their team jerseys stolen will play out the season in a new strip thanks to their kit suppliers.
The Waitemata Rugby Club Junior Buffaloes will have the new kit in time for their only game of the season to be played on the club'sNo 1 ground under floodlights tonight.
The 15 jerseys, in Waitemata colours of black, green and red, were stolen from the car of Marc Thomson, whose 7-year-old twins Zarah and Alexis play for the team.
The family were tasked with washing them after Alexis won player of the day a fortnight ago, Mr Thomson said.
Alexis had one word to describe how she felt when her dad told her the jerseys were gone: "Sad".
A tablet, a laptop and GPS device were also stolen during the theft, while Mr Thomson was unloading his car. The jerseys cost $70 each but had no value to anyone outside the club, Mr Thomson said.
"Everyone's pretty gutted about it."
A claim had been made with the family's insurance company, but it was expected to be an eight-week turnaround to replace the jerseys.
After publicity about the theft this week, other companies came forward to replace the team's jerseys.
However, the club's sponsorship deal with Samurai Sportswear meant they couldn't accept them.
Samurai Sportswear director Helen Clarke said the company was more than happy to supply the Junior Buffaloes with replacements. But they will have to be jerseys the firm has in stock, rather than the team strip.
